AT&T, the second biggest U.S. mobile service, said on Monday that its new six-strong handset range will also include three phones from Samsung Electronics and two from LG Electronics.
It announced the phones ahead of the official start of CTIA, the annual U.S. wireless technology showcase that takes place in Las Vegas from April 1-3.
At just 10 millimeters thick, Nokia's E71x will likely be the thinnest smartphone on the market when it becomes available in coming weeks for $99.99, AT&T said. The device includes navigation and email services and Wi-Fi, a short range high-speed wireless data connection.
Finland's Nokia, the global leader in mobile phones, has long been looking for ways to convince U.S. operators to promote its phones but has had a tough time competing with U.S. rival Motorola Inc and South Korea's Samsung and LG.
The Samsung Propel Pro runs on Microsoft Corp Windows Mobile software and also has a Wi-Fi connection as well as a miniature computer keyboard that slides out from under the silver and chrome device. It will sell for $149.99 in April.
The Samsung Impression includes a 3 megapixel camcorder and camera and an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode screen, which creates a particularly bright display and expected to be the first of its kind sold in this country.
The Impression, which AT&T is pushing as a messaging device, will cost $199.99.
It also sees the LG Xenon, a $99.99 device, as a messaging phone. This phone includes a 2 megapixel camera, a music player and comes in a choice of black, blue and red.
AT&T said the LG Neon, which has a touch sensitive screen and a 2 megapixel camera, would be a low-cost device.
It will also sell the Samsung Magnet, a slim orange and black bar-shaped phone that it expects to appeal to teenagers who like to text message and want a low-cost phone. It did not reveal pricing for the device, which will launch in weeks.
Text messaging plans for the phones range from $5 for 200 messages to $20 for unlimited messaging. Internet access would cost more on top of this and rates vary per device, AT&T said.
The prices cited are after rebates and for customers who sign on for two-year service contracts, AT&T said.
(Reporting by Sinead Carew; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Keywords: ATT/MESSAGINGPHONES (email:sinead.carew@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-223-6186) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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